Trump says US-Iran talks to begin after halting planned strikes; Tehran denies negotiations

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8 days · 6 summary articles
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that negotiations with Iran would begin on Monday afternoon, after calling off what he described as a planned “massive attack” by the U.S. and Israel. Trump said the strikes would have been the largest since World War II but were halted at the request of regional allies and Iran itself, according to remarks made aboard Air Force One .
Trump stated that the talks would address the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program. He claimed that an agreement on the strait was already in place, following requests from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Iran. “Now what we're doing is we're talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon,” Trump said .
However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei contradicted Trump’s announcement, stating that Tehran is not currently negotiating with the U.S. Baqaei said Iran is instead in talks with Oman over securing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that a deal with Oman alone would not be sufficient to reopen the waterway as long as U.S. “aggression” continues .
The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint in the conflict, with shipping data showing a sharp decline in traffic. Only two Saudi oil tankers left the Red Sea over the weekend, and the number of vessels passing through the strait dropped from 19 to 10, according to reports. The British maritime authority UKMTO recorded three additional tanker attacks, while Houthi rebels—backed by Iran—expanded their strikes after imposing a sea embargo on Saudi Arabia on July 20 .
Oil prices fell sharply on Monday following Trump’s announcement, with West Texas Intermediate crude dropping 4.7% to $80.72 per barrel and Brent crude falling to around $83 per barrel .
The U.S. and Israel launched surprise strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, marking the start of the war, which has since seen periodic diplomacy and renewed hostilities. Trump had previously threatened further attacks, including on Iranian energy infrastructure, but said he pulled back after seeing the “perimeters” of a potential deal .
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged the U.S. to honor a memorandum of understanding signed in June, calling it the foundation for future relations. Pezeshkian’s remarks came as Iran maintained strict control over transit through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only a single route along its coast .
Trump did not specify the location or participants of the talks, and Iran has not confirmed any direct negotiations with the U.S. An explosion near a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was reported on Sunday, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region .
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